MUMBAI: Steven Spielberg‘s DreamWorks Studios has acquired filming rights of Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 novel War Horse.

Spielberg will produce the film alongside Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy and Revel Guest. Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) has been signed to adapt the novel to the silver screen.

The novel revolves around the story of a boy and his horse and, even though they become separated when he goes off to fight in World War I, they still share a connection.

"From the moment I read ‘War Horse‘ I knew this was a film I wanted DreamWorks to make," said Spielberg. "Its heart and its message provide a story that can be felt in every country."

War Horse has been previously adapted by Nick Stafford, who wrote the stage version of the piece that has been a hit for the Royal National Theatre. This Olivier Award winning production continues to run at the West End‘s New London Theatre till today.